The Coast of Northern California

---

After cruising down the Oregon coast for the last few days, we have crossed the state line into California. This part of the region is home to the Redwood forests and we have spent a few leisurely days traveling in the area, pausing now and then to explore the different parts of the Redwood National Park and the attractions that lie within. Of course, there are trees, BIG trees. After spending the night at Crescent city, we headed for an attraction called,'The Trees of Mystery', No mystery there really, once you know a few facts about Redwood Trees and they way they grow and how they support each other in that growth. Trees like the 'fallen Giant', a massive tree that fell 300 years ago, yet is still alive in that it supports the growth of the trees that have grown on it and visa versa. Its quite something. They have no tap root, so are reasonably shallow rooted and prone to damage as a result, but one connected root system can support hundreds of trees and if something happend to one tree, then others can help to maintain it. They self graft, so one massive tree can actually be a number of trees grafted together, which then start to sprout off horizontally as the tree gets bigger, resulting in some amazing shapes. There is also the 'Cathedral Tree' which is a group of 9 Redwoods trees growing in a circle, all from the same root system. they hold weddings and Easter services at the tree every year.The fantastical tales of Paul Bunyon and his Ox 'Blue' also feature within this park. All in all, worth a visit, which included a cable car ride over the tree tops to look at the vista, which we couldn't see because of the fog! After a night in Eureka, (not much to be found there really) we headed off through yet more Redwood Forest, through Tall Trees Grove, visiting the sites of various tall trees and little touristy places on the way through. at the Klamath River we drove our Van slowly and carefully through the Drive Thru Tree. With the side mirrors tucked in, we made it! At this point we also stopped to see the Grey Whale that has been swimming backwards and forwards under the Klamath River for the last month. Her calf was with her originally but has wisely swum back out to see, leaving its mother to cause traffic and people congestion on the bridge and whale patrol for the local Sheriffs department as they try to keep motorists and pedestrians safe as they all crane their necks and risk lives rushing from one side of the bridge to the other. Needless to say, we added to this mayhem! It was too good a chance to miss to see this amazing whale up close! The river level is dropping so I hope some conservation group steps in soon and shepherds her back out to sea. We left the 101 at Leggett and headed onto Highway 1 towards the coast. The signs did warn of a windy road for the next 23 miles and they were right1 I don't think we drove more that 25 metres before hitting a bend! Lucky I don't suffer from car-sickness, but even I was feeling more that a little off balance when we finally hit the coast. Dean says he was glad he had the steering wheel to hold on to. More thanonce we have been thankful that we have a small compact van. Driving those monster mobile homes and towing caravans on roads like that must be a nightmare! We made camp at the beachside town of Westport, and as the fog had cleared, were able to stretch out on the sand in the sun for a couple of hours and recharge the batteries. Too cold to swim here though. We both waded tentatively in the sea but after 20 seconds, our feet started going numb, so decided a swim was not for us today. ( The kids were in the water, but wearing full wetsuits!) Heading out the next day we drove through the Navarro Redwoods and into Mendicino and Senoma Counties, the landscape changing from forests and farms to small boutique vinyards and then larger wineries. I feel some wine tasting coming on!!!! We are now camped 35 miles north of San Francisco, in Petaluma, and looking forward to exploring the city. I have to mention that the fog is bloody annoying. Apparently it is at its worst in July and August. You can be bathed in sunshine one minute and then plunged into the gray mist the next. It usually clears by the afternoon, so at least you get some warmth, but its never far away. You can see it sitting out to see, like a menacing gray bank, waiting to come in and engulf you in cold and mist whenever it feels like it, usually late evening! But, we don't let a bit of fog dampen our spirits...only our clothes, bedding, chairs, hair, etc, and we just go on enjoying our travels and smiling. ;-) With only a week to go before we head home, some shopping will be on the agenda and with several tempting outlet stores just down the road, we will be suitably occupied for the next few days here. As always, love to those at home. See you real soon! Shelley and Dean.xxx

---

Photos

Trees of Mystery
Cathedral Tree

Drive Thru Tree
We just scrape through!

Grey Whale
Whale in the Klamath River